Surge recorder



April 22, 1930. J. F. PETERS 1,755,793

sURGE RECRDER Original Filed Julyl, 1924 lNvENToR John F Pdt/2s.

ATTOR N EY Patented Apr. 22, 1930 PATENTfoEFlca .IoHN F. rnrnnsor nnenwoon, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNon. To wns'rmanousn ismaerram a MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA SURGE REQORDEB Application led July 81, 1924, Serial No. 729,426. Bienewed IarohVV 6,1929.

plication Serial No. 680,569, filed December Y One object of my invention is to provide an instrument for recording periodic or recurrent surges.

Another object of my invention is to provide a surge-recording instrument of, the electrostatic type in which the record is so A1li modified that the shape of the figure will indicate the time-characteristics of the surge.

A further object of my invention is to provide a surge recorder having a movable recording element and shielding means for4 limiting the size of the record in the direction of motion of the recording element, sov that a record of the duration and periodic character of the surge lmay be obtained. .y

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings wherein,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a surge recorder constructed in accordance with the invention; and f Fig. 2.is` a view of the record produced by the recorder when subjected to a surge. i

Referring to Fig. 1, a surge recorder 1 is connected to a line 2 that is subjected to abnormal surges of voltage. The recorder comprises an. electrode 3 in engagement with a moving sensitized recording element 4,' that may be a flexible photographic fi-lm coated with emulsionl and similar to that used in ordinary photographic work. The film Vis driven by a suitable motor or clock-work vmechanism 5 connected to the film reels Gand 7. A belt 8 connects the reels 6 and 7 The film 4 is 'supported .under the electrode 3 b v a rotating grounded c vlindcr or drum 9, the film being insulated from the drum by insulation 10. Flat metallic grounded shields 1 1 are positioned across the film 4 adjacent to the electrode 3. These shields are insulated in any suitable manner from the electrode 3,

'9, a ligure is produced upon the sensitized lthe dimension of the record in this direction for example, by a layer of insulating material 11.

pon the occurrence of a surge in the line. 2 that produces potentials in excess of 3000 voltsbetweenthe electrode 3 andthe drum film 4:. lThe size and appearance of this figure lis an indication of the intensity, polarity and duration ofthe surge in the line. Without the shields 11, this figure would be subv stantially circular in shape but, due to these transverse shields at the same potential as the drum 9, the figure is restricted in the direction of motion of the film and therefore is a measure of the duration of thev sur e.

As shown -in Fig. 2, instead of belng circular, the length of the figure in the direction of motion of the film is determined by the` speed of travel of the film and the'duration of the surge. The transverse dimensions of the figure, however, provide an indication of the instantaneous values of the surge potentials. When there are recurrent surges or when the voltage disturbance is periodic during its existence, a succession of fi res is produced showing the general change 1n character of the surge. Since the minimum time required to effect a record upon the film has been determined to be in the neighborhood of a millionth of a second, it is evident that changes in' voltage of any rate that is of practical interest or importance may be recorded and measured. i

The film 4 maybe driven at any desire rate. Thusf, if it is only connected to a conductor for a short time during a surge thereon instead of being permanently connected,

. the film `may be arranged to travel at a high speed during such connection, and it will then be lpossible to record periodic surges of extreme y highl frequencies. e

It will be apparent that -I haveprovided a recording device that is adapted to record the characteristics of a fluctuating electrical di'sturbance even though it is exceedingly brief duration. Since there are no moving parts having mechanical inertia that are concerned with producing the record, it is capable of applicatlon in measuring surges and other phenomena that cannot be recorded by the usual measuring instruments.

I do not consider that my invention is limited to the precise form shown and described and accordingly I do not wish to be limited in scope except by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An instrument comprising a movable sensitized recording element, means for moving said element, and a shielded electrode adjacent to said element for cooperation therewith, and grounded metallic members for shielding the electrode to limit thearea of the element affected thereby. p

2. An instrument comprising a sensitized recording element, means for moving the same, and an electrode in engagement theretrode engaging said element.

5. An instrument comprising a grounded member, recording means thereon1 insulation between said member and said means and a second grounded member for modifying the record produced by said means.

6. An instrument comprising a sensitized recording element, an electrode in engagement therewith, .and means adjacent to said electrode for deforming the figure normally produced on said element.

7. An instrument comprising a rotating drum, a sensitized recording element carried f thereby, an electrode in engagement with said element and a shield adjacent said electrode.

8. An instrument comprising agrounded rotatable metallic drum, a flexible sensitized Aelement on said drum, an electrode in engagement with said element and a transverse shield adjacent the electrode.

9. An instrument comprising an electrode, a flexible sensitized element engaged thereby and cooperating therewith and shielding means for modifying the record produced by said electrode on said recording element.

10. The combination for use with a line subject to abnormal surges, comprising an electrode, a llexible sensitized element engaged thereby and cooperating therewith and shielding means vfor modifying the record produced by said electrode on said recording element.

11. An instrument comprising a sensitized recording element, an electrode in engagement therewith, and an electrostatic shield adjacent to said electrode.

12. An instrument comprising an electrode,

a sensitized element engaged thereby and means cooperating with the electrode to modify its effect onl said element.

13. An instrument comprising an electrode, a sensitized element engaged thereby and cooperating therewith and cooperating means for limiting the record produced on the element by the electrode within predetermined connes.

14. An instrument comprising an electrode, a sensitized element engaged thereby and cooperating therewith and movable relative thereto, and cooperating means for limiting a record produced on the element bythe elec trode, in the direction of relative movement of the element.

15. An instrument comprising a sensitized element, an electrode engaging said element normally adapted to effect a record of substantially circular area on said element and cooperating means for limiting the formation of said record on the element to at least one elongated figure equal to the diameter of said circular area.

16. An instrument comprising an electrode, a grounded metal platen, a sensitized element between the electrode and the platen,

. and a grounded element on the electrode side of the sensitized element for affecting the record produced by the electrode on the sensitized element.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this- 29th day of July, 1924.

JOHN F. PETERS. 

